Posted on 08/16/2005 3:45:37 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
This is just in
CNN reported that 17 spanish troops killed in afghanistan
will keep you posted
Sheehan would find a friend in Zapatero.
in Turkey
Point well-made and well-taken.
Zapatero is heading back to Madrid to analyze the situation...the Spanish troops were part of a NATO contingent...Zapatero to announce it is Bush's fault.
A second helicopter also made an emergency landing and an unspecified number of troops on board were believed to be injured, said Maj. Andrew Elmes, a spokeswoman for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.
He said the cause of the crash and the emergency landing - both in the desert south of the western city of Herat - were believed to be mechanical failures. He did not elaborate.
In Madrid, a Spanish Defense Ministry official who asked not to be named said 12 soldiers and five crew died in the accident, but that the cause was unknown.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero broke off his vacation in the Canary Islands to return to Madrid and meet with defense ministry officials, the premier's office said.
Elmes declined to comment on the nationality of the troops or how many casualties there were. He said rescuers were on the site, recovering the dead and wounded.
"We do not think the helicopter crashed because of enemy activity. We think it was an accident. We think it crashed into the ground after a mechanical failure, but we are not sure and we are investigating," he said. "The second helicopter landed heavily. There are survivors from that helicopter."
He said both choppers were on a training mission to support legislative elections next month.
Afghan army commander Abdul Wahab Walizada said troops had been deployed to the area to provide security.
AP-ES-08-16-05 0735EDT
Oh no!! Prayers for the families of these heroes.
This is so sad. Prayers for all involved.
At least the Spanish troops were THERE and helping.
Thanks, McGruff, for this heads-up.
Sandstorm hit the area just before the crash according to the BBC. Been a bad year for copter crashes in Afghanistan. 15 US killed in February, 16 in June and now this...
62 killed in a May 2003 plane crash.
May God comfort those who mourn..
Okay, tinfoil hat time..
I'd like to see the mechanical records for these choppers. I don't trust the UN! I would not put it past the UN to siphon off the money for the military supplies/equipment in order to line Kofi and buddies pockets.
I think this needs investigation.
When did the UN start running NATO maintenance operations?
Prayers for the troops and their loved ones.
Oh no! Prayers up for the families.
Amen...May God be with those who have fallen and their comrades and family left behind.......
People forget how many countries we have in the Coalition, in both OIF and OEF, and how many soldiers they each deploy. Baghdad, for example, is a mini UN, with troops from everywhere.
Please have a bit of decorum. You do realise that during Enduring Freedom Spanish Naval aviators flew top cover for Coalition forces. They were flying AV-8Bs. If you spoke to the Spanish contingent forces in Iraq they would have stayed on. It's the poliiticians you have to blame, not the troops at the front.
May they rest in peace and may God comfort their families.
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